Estonia supports EU visa freedom and free trade with Moldova and is sending its diplomat to Chisinau

12.02.2014

At today's meeting of the EU countries foreign ministers Friends of Moldova Group within the framework of the European General Affairs Council in Brussels, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stressed that Estonia considers the European Union’s progressive action related to Moldova to be important and is also sending its diplomat there.

"The association agreement and free trade agreement with Moldova must be signed before this fall," foreign minister Paet said. "As well, European Union visa freedom with Moldova should quickly be endorsed," he added.

According to Paet, Estonia will soon send a permanent diplomat to Moldova.

The foreign minister remarked that Estonia fully supports Moldova's pursuits in the direction of the European Union. "By sharing our practical experience, we can show how the process of joining the European Union develops society both politically and economically," Paet remarked. "Moldova is an essential partner to Estonia, who we have supported since 2000," he added. According to Paet, Estonia is always ready to share its knowledge with Moldova both in carrying out economic reforms and educating state officials at the Estonian Eastern Partnership Centre. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been active in developing the areas of e-governance and e-justice in Moldova.

At the meeting of the Friends of Moldova Group, where both Moldovan Foreign Minister, as well as its European Minister of Integration Natalia Gherman were in attendance, the EU foreign ministers approved their continued support for Moldova in getting closer to political association with the European Union.

When speaking on issues related to Transnistria, foreign minister Paet said that an attempt must be made to try to solve the conflict there and that the current situation cannot become an obstacle for Moldova's integration with the European Union.